Our Community Commitments

community

Community-based work involves designing and implementing projects that prioritize community engagement, participation, and benefit. Rather than imposing designs from above, these projects involve local residents, stakeholders, and experts in the planning, design, and execution process. This approach ensures that the built environment reflects the needs, aspirations, and cultural identity of the community it serves.

SDS is committed to community-based architectural and preservation work and we volunteer our expertise on several projects each year in our efforts to shift towards more inclusive, participatory, and sustainable approaches to design and development, with the goal of creating built environments that truly serve the needs and interests of the people who inhabit them.

Community Engagement We actively involve community members, local organizations, and other stakeholders in decision-making processes regarding our community-based projects to gather input and feedback. This collaborative approach ensures that we are addressing the specific needs and priorities of the community.

Cultural Preservation We believe that preservation involves both the tangible and intangible. Throughout our work, we also strive to protect, conserve, and promote the cultural heritage and identity of a community or space to maintain the richness and diversity for future.

Social Impact We aim to have a positive social impact by fostering community cohesion, promoting economic development, and improving quality of life for residents and visitors.

Sustainability and Resilience We prioritize environmentally sustainable and resilient design principles. This may involve using locally sourced materials, incorporating green infrastructure, and designing buildings and spaces that are adaptable to climate change and other environmental challenges.